Vietnam to face cement shortage; Rice exports off target in April; New Eximbank leaders named; VAT refunds okayed for farm produce importers; PVN to reduce PV GAS stake; Vietnam building doctrine of growth

 Two transnational drug trafficking rings busted; Police seize plant growth stimulants; Whirlwind sweeps through Lam Dong; UN Vesak Day opens in Ninh Binh; HCM City eyes local solution to water woes

The stock market fell sharply Thursday morning, possibly due to the psychological impact of the East Sea conflict between Vietnam and China. The session saw the biggest one-day decline since 2001. 

 Italian scholars condemn China’s territorial violations; Party Central Committee meets to review long-term progress; NA deputies meet public in Hoa Binh, Ha Nam provinces

  US Senator John McCain on May 7 released a statement criticising China for its recent acts to intentionally escalate tensions in the East Sea.

 Iran strengthened their title credentials by beating Vietnam 15-4 in an AFC Futsal Championships quarter-final match in Ho Chi Minh City on May 7.

VietNamNet Bridge – There are three weasel coffee producers in Vietnam, namely Trai Ham, Trung Nguyen and Huyen Thoai Nui.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many travel agencies in Vietnam have expressed their outrage about Thailand’s unusual immigration requirement that tourists from Vietnam show cash to Thai immigration officers at Arayaprathet border gate

 VietNamNet Bridge – The State will prioritize investments to assist education facilities nationwide in realizing the universalization of education and eradication of illiteracy, according to Decree 20/2014/ND-CP

 VietNamNet Bridge – Thanh Hoa experienced a sweet round of competition last weekend with a revenge victory over Dong Nai, while Becamex Binh Duong continued their reign atop the provisional standings.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese government is calling for new infusions of foreign investment in infrastructure and agriculture projects.

VietNamNet Bridge - In an international press conference held on Tuesday, Vietnamese officials released videos of Vietnamese ships being attacked by Chinese vessels which were on duty at an oil rig that was illegally built by China.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam and the United States today signed an agreement to cooperate on peaceful uses of nuclear energy in order to strengthen cooperation in research, training and development of atomic energy.

 VietNamNet Bridge - For the first time in the history of Vietnam’s shooting sports, a Vietnamese shooter has placed first in the rankings of the International Shooting Sports Federation,  for the men’s 10m air pistol category.

According to Nielsen, the index of consumer confidence in Vietnam in the first quarter of 2014 rose slightly to 99 points, from 98 points in the last quarter of 2013. This is the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2011.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese fishermen who were held by Australian sea police for nearly three months arrived at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, on Tuesday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – An aircraft of the private carrier VietJet Air that was on the runway had to return to its parking site because of a female passenger’s disruptive behavior. This is the first case of its kind reported in Vietnam so far.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The measles epidemic is under control, while other diseases are on the wane. However, the number of chickenpox cases is soaring in Hanoi. And in HCM City, foot and mouth disease is quickly gaining ground.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Only one commercial bank, SHB, has officially announced its plan to acquire a finance company this year. However, analysts say this is not an unusual phenomenon.

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 400 households in the large seaside city of Nha Trang have been using water from a cemetery for their daily life for the past 30 years.